Language/Yoruba/Vocabulary/Count-to-10
Hi Yoruba learners! 😊
In this lesson, you will learn how to count from one to ten in Yoruba. Counting in Yoruba is an essential step in learning the language because it is the basis of communicating numbers like age, phone numbers, time, and many other things. So, let's dive in and learn how to count in Yoruba!
Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Food, Feelings and Emotions, Hobbies and Leisure Activities & Daily Routines.
Basic numbers[edit | edit source]
Let's begin with the basic numbers in Yoruba:
| Yoruba | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Okan | oh-kahn | One |
| Meji | may-gee | Two |
| Meta | may-tah | Three |
| Merin | may-rin | Four |
| Marun | mah-roon | Five |
| Mefa | may-fah | Six |
| Meje | may-jay | Seven |
| Merinlelogun | may-rin-lay-oh-goon | Eight |
| Mesan | may-shun | Nine |
| Mokanla | moh-kahn-lah | Ten |
Notice the unique use of "kan" in "okan" for one and "kàn" in "mokanla" for ten. Another distinct aspect is Yoruba's pattern for forming numbers. From three to eight, numbers are formed by adding "ta" at the end of the number. For example, "meta" means three, but "metata" means six, by adding "ta" to "meta". However, "marun" and "mefa" are exceptions and do not follow this pattern. "Marun" is a combination of "meji" (two) and "erin" (two), while "mefa" comes from "meji" and "fa" (four).
Cultural insights[edit | edit source]
In Yoruba culture, numbers play a significant role in names and meanings. Many Yoruba names use numbers as their prefix to denote the number of children born before the child bearing the name. For example, "Oludotun" could mean "this is for the first child," while "Oluwasegun" could mean "God has given us the victory," with "segun" meaning "victory" and "oluwa" meaning "God."
Also, Yoruba tradition assigns a lot of meaning to numbers. Seven is considered a powerful number in Yoruba culture, representing the seven days of the week and the seven elements of creation. Yoruba people believe that seven holds the key to spirituality and is a connection to the greater power beyond this world.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, you have learned how to count from one to ten in Yoruba. Learning Yoruba numbers is crucial for communicating important information. To improve your Yoruba Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions! 🤔
Sources[edit | edit source]
With this lesson finished, you may want to explore these additional pages: Colors, Drinks, Common Foods & How to Say Hello and Greetings.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Clothes
- Family
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Express Surprise
- Colors
- Drinks
- Animals
- Feelings and Emotions
- Health